U.S. patent number 9,481,233 [Application Number 14/281,822] was granted by the patent office on 2016-11-01 for sheet winding apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HAYASHI TELEMPU Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Kenichi Nakatsuka, Koichi Ogawa, Makoto Oguri, Kenji Yamada. Invention is credited to Kenichi Nakatsuka, Koichi Ogawa, Makoto Oguri, Kenji Yamada.
United States Patent |
9,481,233 |
Nakatsuka , et al. |
November 1, 2016 |
Sheet winding apparatus
Abstract
A sheet winding apparatus has a sheet, a winding axis to which
one end of the sheet is fixed and having a cylindrical shape, a
spring that is arranged in the winding axis and gives a biasing
force to the winding axis in an opposite direction of drawing-out
direction of the sheet, and a soundproof tube that is arranged
between an outer periphery of the spring and inside the winding
axis. The soundproof tube has first projected portions projecting
outward from an outer periphery of the soundproof tube.
Inventors: |
Nakatsuka; Kenichi (Aichi,
JP), Yamada; Kenji (Aichi, JP), Oguri;
Makoto (Aichi, JP), Ogawa; Koichi (Aichi,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nakatsuka; Kenichi
Yamada; Kenji
Oguri; Makoto
Ogawa; Koichi |
Aichi
Aichi
Aichi
Aichi |
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HAYASHI TELEMPU Co., Ltd.
(Nagoya-shi, Aichi, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
48574172 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/281,822 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140284414 A1 |
Sep 25, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/JP2012/081038 |
Nov 30, 2012 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 9, 2011 [JP] |
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2011-270419 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
11/025 (20130101); B60J 1/205 (20130101); B65H
75/48 (20130101); B65H 75/486 (20130101); B60R
5/047 (20130101); B65H 75/30 (20130101); B65H
2601/521 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65H
75/48 (20060101); B60J 11/02 (20060101); B60R
5/04 (20060101); B65H 75/30 (20060101); B60J
1/20 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2 514 618 |
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Oct 2012 |
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EP |
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H08-183394 |
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Jul 1996 |
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JP |
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H11-139211 |
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May 1999 |
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JP |
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2001-180382 |
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Jul 2001 |
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JP |
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2002-174085 |
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Jun 2002 |
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JP |
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2004-250225 |
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Sep 2004 |
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JP |
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2007-321891 |
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Dec 2007 |
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JP |
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2008-082158 |
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Apr 2008 |
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JP |
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2013-160774 |
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Aug 2013 |
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JP |
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Other References
JP 2007-321891, Dec. 2007, Kanasako et al, machine english
translation from J-PlatPat. cited by examiner .
International Search Report for PCT/JP2012/081038 dated Mar. Feb.
22, 2013. cited by applicant .
PCT written openion dated Mar. 12, 2013. cited by applicant .
Japanese Notice of reason for cancellation dated Jun. 17, 2016.
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Rivera; William A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Yokoi & Co., U.S.A. Yokoi;
Toshiyuki
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application claims the benefit of priority and is a
Continuation application of the prior International Patent
Application No. PCT/JP2012/081038, with an international filing
date of Nov. 30, 2012, which designated the United States, and is
related to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-270419, filed
Dec. 9, 2011, the entire disclosures of all applications are
expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sheet winding apparatus, comprising: a sheet; a winding barrel
to which one end of the sheet is fixed and having a cylindrical
shape; a spring that is arranged in the winding barrel and gives a
biasing force to the winding barrel in an opposite direction of
drawing-out direction of the sheet; and a soundproof tube that is
arranged between an outer periphery of the spring and inside the
winding barrel and has first projected portions projecting outward
from an outer periphery of the soundproof tube.
2. The sheet winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when
an outer diameter of the soundproof tube including a tip of the
first projected portions is specified as Rout, an outer diameter of
the soundproof tube without including the first projected portions
is specified as Rsur, an inner diameter of the soundproof tube is
specified as Rin, and an inner diameter of the winding barrel is
specified as Rb, Rout, Rsur, Rin and Rb satisfy the following
relations: Rsur<Rb; and Rb-Rout.ltoreq.Rout-Rin.
3. The sheet winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
winding barrel has second projected portions projecting inward from
an inner periphery of the winding barrel, and the first projected
portions of the soundproof tube are in contact with the second
projected portions.
4. The sheet winding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when
an outer diameter of the soundproof tube including a tip of the
first projected portions is specified as Rout, an outer diameter of
the soundproof tube without including the first projected portions
is specified as Rsur, an inner diameter of the winding barrel
including a tip of the second projected portions is specified as
Bout, and an inner diameter of the winding barrel without including
the second projected portions is specified as Bsur, Rout, Rsur,
Bout and Bsur satisfy the following relations: Rout.ltoreq.Bsur;
Rsur.ltoreq.Bout; and Bout<Rout.
5. The sheet winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
soundproof tube has third projected portions projecting inward from
an inner periphery of the soundproof tube, and the third projected
portions and the first projected portions are formed so that the
projected portions projecting outward and the projected portions
projecting inwards are not projected from a same position.
6. The sheet winding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a
hardness of the soundproof tube is between 60 and 80 when measured
by shore A hardness.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a sheet winding apparatus
capable of drawing out a sheet and storing the sheet.
2. Description of Related Art
A sheet winding apparatus capable of drawing out a sheet to cover a
part of a vehicle compartment and a window and capable of winding
the drawn out sheet is known. In an example of the sheet winding
apparatus, the apparatus has a sheet, a winding axis having a
cylindrical shape to fix one end of the sheet, a shaft stored in
the winding axis, and a torsion spring stored between the winding
axis and the shaft to be fixed to the winding axis at one end and
fixed to the shaft at the other end. Therefore, if the sheet wound
to the winding axis is drawn out, the torsion spring is twisted by
the rotation of the winding axis and a winding force can be
generated in an opposite direction of a drawing-out direction of
the sheet.
In addition, in the sheet winding apparatus having a shaft, it
sometimes happens that the shaft and the torsion spring are in
contact with each other and an abnormal noise is generated when
drawing out the sheet and winding the sheet. Therefore, Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-250225 discloses
that a soundproof tube having a projecting line projected toward
the torsion spring is interposed between the shaft and the torsion
spring to reduce amplitude of vibration of the torsion spring by
the projecting line and suppress the abnormal noise.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A sheet winding apparatus without having a shaft has been developed
for reducing weight, for reducing manufacturing cost, or any other
reasons. However, if the shaft passing through the torsion spring
is eliminated, the amplitude of vibration of the torsion spring
increases and the winding axis and the torsion spring are in
contact with each other causing the abnormal noise. On the other
hand, the configuration of the sheet winding apparatus disclosed in
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-250225
is specialized for an apparatus having a shaft on the winding axis,
and therefore it is difficult to apply the invention to a sheet
winding apparatus without having the shaft. In addition, if the
projecting line of the soundproof tube is projected toward the
torsion spring, the projecting line may be interfered with the
torsion spring when inserting the torsion spring into the
soundproof tube. In such a case, insertability can be
suppressed.
One aspect of the present invention has an aim for providing a
sheet winging apparatus without having the shaft that pass through
the torsion spring so as to suppress the abnormal noise generated
when the winding axis and the spring stored in the winding axis are
interfered with each other when drawing out of winding the
sheet
In addition, the present invention has an aim for improving working
efficiency when assembling the sheet winding apparatus.
The present invention has a sheet, a winding axis to which one end
of the sheet is fixed and having a cylindrical shape, a spring that
gives a biasing force to the winding axis in an opposite direction
of drawing-out direction of the sheet, and a soundproof tube that
is located between an outer periphery of the spring and inside the
winding axis and has first projected portions projecting outward
from an outer periphery of the soundproof tube.
In the sheet winding apparatus configured above, when the sheet is
drawn out of the winding axis, a torsional force is generated
according to the rotation of the winding axis, and therefore a
biasing force (winding force) is generated at the winding axis in
an opposite direction of the drawing-out direction of the sheet.
When the sheet is to be stored, the rotation direction of the
winding axis, which is corresponding to the winding direction of
the sheet, matches with the biasing direction of the spring, and
therefore the winding axis is rotated by the spring and the sheet
can be wound.
In addition, a soundproof tube is arranged between an outer
periphery of the spring and an inner periphery of the winding axis.
On the soundproof tube, first projected portions are formed on an
outer periphery projecting outward. From the above configuration,
amplitude force of the spring is absorbed by the soundproof tube or
the projected portions by being elastically deformed either when
the sheet is drawn out or when the sheet is wound, and therefore
the abnormal noise is suppressed.
As for the shape of an inner periphery of the soundproof tube, the
projected portions (projected portions other than the first
projected portions) do not have to be formed but can be formed. If
the projected portions other than the first projected portions are
not formed at the inner periphery of the soundproof tube, there is
nothing in the soundproof tube to interfere with the spring when
inserting the spring into the soundproof tube, and therefore
working efficiency is improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tonneau cover device mounted
inside a vehicle compartment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view cut along a longitudinal direction
showing a main portion of a tonneau cover device 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along a thickness direction
showing a main portion of the tonneau cover device 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view cut along a thickness direction
showing a main portion of a tonneau cover device concerning the
second embodiment.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings to explain a shape of a barrel 11
concerning the third embodiment.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are transverse cross-sectional views showing a
spring 16 and a soundproof tube 20 stored inside the barrel 11.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the soundproof tube 20 stored
inside the barrel 11.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the soundproof tube 20 stored
inside the barrel 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Note that the embodiment described below is only an example of the
present invention. The present invention is not limited to the
embodiment described below.
(1) Configuration of Tonneau Cover Device
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tonneau cover device mounted
inside a vehicle compartment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view cut
along a longitudinal direction showing a main portion of a tonneau
cover device 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along a
thickness direction showing a main portion of the tonneau cover
device 1.
The tonneau cover device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device to cover a
luggage room formed at a rear part of the vehicle compartment. The
tonneau cover device 1 is fixed so that a longitudinal direction Lt
is oriented in a width direction of the vehicle compartment. In
addition, the tonneau cover device 1 has a sheet 4 which is capable
of being drawn out from a slit 3 of a housing 2. The sheet 4 is
drawn out from the housing 2 toward the rear part of the vehicle
compartment. Further, a board material 5 is attached to a tip of
the sheet 4. On the board material 5, an engaging hook 6 is
attached to be engaged with an engaging portion formed on a side
wall of the vehicle compartment. Therefore, the luggage room can be
covered by drawing out the sheet 4 from the housing 2 and engaging
the sheet 4 with the side wall of the vehicle compartment by the
engaging hook 6. In addition, on the sheet 4 drawn out of the
housing 2, a biasing force (winding force) is applied in an
opposite direction of a drawing-out direction. Therefore, when the
sheet is to be stored in the housing 2, the sheet can be wound by a
barrel (described later) which is fixed to the housing 2 using the
biasing force. Hereafter, a configuration of above described
tonneau cover device 1 will be explained.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the tonneau cover device 1, a
barrel (winding axis) 11 is fixed in the housing 2 so as to be
rotatable in accordance with an operation of drawing out of the
sheet 4. The barrel 11 has a cylindrical shape and one end of the
sheet 4 is fixed on the outer peripheral side of the barrel 11.
Consequently, the sheet 4 can be wound and the wound sheet can be
drawn out in accordance with a rotation of the barrel 11. One end
of the barrel 11 is fixed in the housing 2 so as to be rotatable
via a rotation axis 12, and the other end is engaged with the
housing 2 via a retaining portion 13. The barrel 11 is formed by
extrusion molding aluminum in a tubular shape, for example.
Retaining portions 13, 14 having a cylindrical shape are provided
at one end of the barrel 11 and inside the barrel 11.
The retaining portion 13 has an engagement tooth 13a, which is
larger in diameter than an inner diameter of the barrel 11, at one
end side, and a taper portion 13b, which is smaller in diameter, at
the other end. An end portion of the retaining portion 13 is
inserted into the barrel 11 via a bearing 15 so as to be rotatable.
On the other hand, the engagement tooth 13a of the retaining
portion 13 is fixed by being engaged with a pawl portion 2a of the
housing 2. Here, the retaining portions 13 and 14 are not limited
to the one that is directly engaged with and fixed with the housing
2. For example, the retaining portions 13 and 14 can be engaged
with and fixed with the housing 2 via a not illustrated holder
member.
On the other hand, the retaining portion 14 has a flange 14a which
is smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the barrel 11, at
one end, and a taper portion 14b, which is a smaller in diameter,
at the other end. The retaining portion 14 is stored in the barrel
11 so that an end portion of the taper portion side of the
retaining portion 14 is facing with an end portion of the taper
portion side of the retaining portion 13. The retaining portion 14
is pressure bonded with the barrel 11 by caulking processing. Note
that caulking processing to fix the retaining portion 14 with the
barrel 11 is only an example. Any other structure can be used
instead as long as the retaining portion 14 is restricted from
being rotated in a radial direction. For example, by changing a
hollow cross-sectional shape of the barrel 11, the retaining
portion 14, which is stored in the barrel 11, can be restricted
from being rotated.
Here, the retaining portions 13 and 14 are formed by injection
molding a resin material, for example.
In the barrel 11, a torsion spring (hereafter, also referred to as
spring) 16, which is engaged with the retaining portions 13 and 14,
is stored. In the present embodiment, the spring 16 is composed of
a helical spring having engaging hooks at both ends in an extending
direction. Therefore, a hook formed at one end of the spring 16 is
engaged with the taper portion side of the retaining portion 13, a
hook formed at the other end is engaged with the taper portion side
of the retaining portion 14, and the spring 16 is stored in the
barrel 11. A length of the spring 16 is shorter than that of the
barrel 11. The spring 16 is made of SWC material, for example.
Between an inner periphery of the barrel 11 and an outer periphery
of the spring 16, a soundproof tube 20 made of thermoplastic resins
such as styrene based elastomer (also referred to as TPS) and
olefin based elastomer (also referred to as TPO) is stored. In the
present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the spring 16 is
stored in the soundproof tube 20 having a hollow tubular structure,
and therefore the soundproof tube 20 is interposed between the
inner periphery of the barrel 11 and the outer periphery of the
spring 16. On an outer periphery of the soundproof tube 20, a
plurality of projected portions (first projected portions) 21 are
formed.
The projected portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20 have a
cross-sectional shape of projecting with a short length to outside
in the radial direction of the soundproof tube 20, for example. In
FIG. 3, six projected portions 21 are formed at every 60 degrees
with respect to a center of the soundproof tube 20, and the
projected portions 21 are continuously formed in a linear shape
along the longitudinal direction Lt. Of course, to form the
projected portions 21 continuously in a linear shape is only an
example. The number of the projected portions 21 is not limited to
six. It is only an example.
A length of the soundproof tube 20 is preferably longer than a
length of the spring 16 in the extending direction so that the
outer periphery of the spring 16 is not exposed when the spring 16
is stored in the soundproof tube 20. An inner diameter Rin of the
soundproof tube 20 is preferably larger than an outer diameter of
the spring 16. If the inner diameter Rin of the soundproof tube 20
is larger than the outer diameter of the spring 16, insertability
when the spring 16 is inserted into the soundproof tube 20 can be
improved.
An outer diameter Rout of the soundproof tube 20 including the
projected portions 21 can be larger than an inner diameter Rb of
the barrel 11. However, an outer diameter Rsur of the soundproof
tube 20 excluding the projected portions 21 is preferably smaller
than the inner diameter Rb of the barrel 11. Namely, it is
preferred that the relation of the following formula (1) is
satisfied. Rsur<Rb (1)
If the outer diameter Rsur of the soundproof tube 20 is specified
to be smaller than the inner diameter Rb of the barrel 11, the
soundproof tube 20 and the barrel 11 are prevented from being in
surface contact with each other to increase the friction when
inserting the soundproof tube 20 into the barrel 11. In addition,
the soundproof tube 20 can be easily deformed and therefore
insertability can be improved.
If a gap between the inner diameter Rb of the barrel 11 and the
outer diameter Rout of the soundproof tube 20, which is indicated
as Rb-Rout, is larger than a total thickness of the soundproof tube
20, which is indicated as Rout-Rin, the amplitude force of the
spring 16 may not be fully absorbed by the soundproof tube 20 and
therefore the abnormal noise may be generated. Therefore, as for
the relation of the inner diameter Rb of the barrel 11, the outer
diameter Rout of the soundproof tube 20 and the inner diameter Rin
of the soundproof tube 20, the relation of the following formula
(2) is preferably satisfied. Rb-Rout.ltoreq.Rout-Rin (2)
The soundproof tube 20 is formed by extrusion molding thermoplastic
resins such as TPS and TPO. A hardness of the soundproof tube 20 is
preferably between 60 and 80 (Shore A hardness). If the hardness of
the soundproof tube 20 is 60 or more, the barrel 11 is prevented
from being curled up and being caught when inserting the sounding
tube 20 into the barrel 11. Consequently, insertability of the
soundproof tube 20 can be improved. If the hardness of the
soundproof tube 20 is 80 or less, the abnormal noise can be
suppressed when the soundproof tube 20 is in contact with the
spring 16 or the barrel 11. The projected portions 21 are
integrally formed on the outer surface of the soundproof tube 20 in
the present embodiment, but the structure is not limited to
this.
(2) Assembling Method of Tonneau Cover Device
Assembling method of the tonneau cover device 1 configured as
described above will be explained. At first, the taper portion 13b
of the retaining portion 13 is engaged with the hook formed at one
end of the spring 16 in a state that the bearing 15 is inserted
through the retaining portion 13. Then, the spring 16 is stored in
the soundproof tube 20. And then, the retaining portion 14 is
engaged with the hook, which is not yet engaged with the retaining
portion, of the spring 16.
Then, the retaining portion 14 and the soundproof tube 20 (spring
16) are stored in the barrel 11. At this time, because the
projected portions 21 are formed on an outer periphery of the
soundproof tube 20, the projected portions 21 may be in contact
with the inner periphery of the barrel 11. However, interference
between the projected portions 21 and the barrel 11 can be relieved
if the soundproof tube 20 or the projected portions 21 is
elastically deformed keeping a line contact. Consequently, the
soundproof tube 20 (spring 16) can be easily inserted. In
particular, the tonneau cover device 1 of the present embodiment
does not have a shaft axis which functions as a guide when
inserting the spring 16, the spring 16 can be easily inserted
because the soundproof tube 20 is elastically deformed.
Then, one end of the sheet 4 is fixed to the barrel 11. Note that,
on the end portion of the sheet 4 not fixed to the barrel 11, the
board material 5 is already fixed. Then, the barrel 11 and the
retaining portion 14 are calked by a calking machine to be
press-bonded. The end portion, which is an end portion the
retaining portion 13 is not inserted, of the barrel 11 is assembled
with the rotation axis 12. Then, the rotation axis 12 is inserted
into a recessed portion of the housing 2. The engagement tooth 13a
of the retaining portion 13 is fixed by being engaged with the pawl
portion 2a formed on the housing 2.
By the above configuration, when the sheet 4 is drawn out of the
housing 2, the barrel 11 is rotated along the drawing-out direction
of the sheet with the retaining portion 13 and the rotation axis 12
as an axis. At this time, because the spring 16 is fixed to the
barrel 11 via the retaining portion 14 at one end and fixed to the
housing 2 via the retaining portion 13 at the other end, a
torsional force is generated at the spring 16 according to the
rotation of the barrel 11. Consequently, a biasing force (winding
force) is generated at the barrel 11 in an opposite direction of
the drawing-out direction of the sheet.
On the other hand, when the sheet 4 is to be stored in the housing
2, because the rotation direction of the barrel 11, which is
corresponding to the winding direction of the sheet 4, matches with
the biasing direction of the spring 16, the barrel 11 is rotated by
the spring 16 and therefore the sheet 4 can be wound.
The soundproof tube 20 having the projected portions 21 is always
interposed between the outer periphery of the spring 16 and the
inner periphery of the barrel 11, and therefore amplitude force of
the spring 16 is absorbed by the soundproof tube 20 or the
projected portions 21 by being elastically deformed when the sheet
4 is drawn out or wound. Consequently, the outer periphery of the
spring 16 and the inner periphery of the barrel 11 are prevented
from being in contact with each other and the abnormal noise can be
suppressed.
Here, if the projected portions 21 are provided on the inner
periphery side of the soundproof tube 20, the spring 16 and the
projected portions 21 are interfered with each other and
insertability is suppressed when inserting the spring 16 into the
soundproof tube 20. However, in the present invention, the
projected portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20 are projected
outside from the outer periphery, and therefore the spring 16 and
the projected portions 21 are not interfered with each other when
inserting the spring 16 into the soundproof tube 20. Consequently,
insertability of the spring 16 is not suppressed and assembling
operation can be easily performed. On the other hand, if the barrel
11 into which the soundproof tube 20 (spring 16) is inserted has a
predetermined hardness, the projected portions 21 may be in contact
with the inner periphery of the barrel 11. However, friction
generated by the insertion can be reduced because the soundproof
tube 20 or the projected portions 21 are elastically deformed
keeping a line contact. In addition, the projected portions 21 of
the soundproof tube 20 are not projected toward the spring 16, and
therefore it never happens that the spring 16 is accidentally
engaged with the projected portions 21 and the sheet 4 is wrongly
wound.
(3) Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view cut along a thickness direction of
a tonneau cover device 1 concerning the second embodiment. The
tonneau cover device 1 of the second embodiment is different from
the first embodiment in that projected portions of the soundproof
tube 20 are projected also from an inner periphery in addition to
the outer periphery.
As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to six projected portions (first
projected portions) 21 projecting outward from the outer periphery,
the soundproof tube 20 has six projected portions (third projected
portions) 22 projecting inward from the inner periphery. The
projected portions 21 and the projected portions 22 are formed
shifting in position so that the projected portions projecting
outward and the projected portions projecting inwards are not
projected from a same position. In other words, in the soundproof
tube 20, the projected portions 22 are not formed on the inner
periphery facing the projected portions 21, and the projected
portions 21 are not formed on the outer periphery facing the
projected portions 22.
In the above described configuration, in addition to the effect of
the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. If the
projected portions 22 are provided on the inner periphery of the
soundproof tube 20, the projected portions 22 may interfere with
the spring 16 when inserting the spring 16. However, if the
projected portions 21 and 22 are formed so that the projected
portions projecting outward and the projected portions projecting
inwards are not projected from a same position, a deformation
amount of the soundproof tube 20 can be secured. Consequently, even
when the projected portions 22 are in contact with the spring 16,
the soundproof tube 20 is deformed and insertability is not
suppressed. Further, if the deformation amount of the soundproof
tube 20 is secured, the spring 16 is prevented from being
accidentally engaged with the projected portions 22 and the sheet 4
is prevented from being wrongly wound.
(4) Third Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a drawing to explain a shape of the barrel 11 concerning
the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view
showing a spring 16 and a soundproof tube 20 stored inside the
barrel 11. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the soundproof tube
20 stored inside the barrel 11.
In the third embodiment, same as the other embodiments, a tonneau
cover device 1 has a barrel 11, a rotation axis 12, retaining
portions 13, 14, a spring 16, and a soundproof tube 20. As for an
arrangement of each part, explanation will be omitted because it is
same as the other embodiments. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS.
5 to 7, projected portions (second projected portions) 30 are
formed on an inner periphery of the barrel 11 projecting inward.
The retaining portion 14 is not pressure bonded with the barrel 11,
and is retained in the barrel 11 so as to be slidable along an
axial direction.
FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing the barrel 11. FIG. 5B is a
side view showing the barrel 11. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, on
the inner periphery of the barrel 11, the projected portions 30 are
formed projecting inward from the inner periphery. The projected
portions 30 are continuously formed in a longitudinal direction Lt
of the barrel 11. A part of the inner periphery of the barrel 11 on
which the projected portions 30 are not formed and side walls of
the projected portions 30 function as a groove portion 31
(hereafter, the corresponding position of the barrel 11 will be
merely referred to as groove portion 31).
If the barrel 11 is formed of metals such as aluminum, the
projected portions 31 are integrally formed with the barrel 11
using an extrusion molding. Alternatively, the projected portions
30 can be formed by pressing the barrel 11. In such a case, it is
not necessary to form the projected portions 30 continuously in the
axial direction of the barrel 11. The projected portions 30 can be
formed intermittently in the axial direction.
The number of the projected portions 30 is preferably same as the
number of the projected portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20.
However, the number of the projected portions 30 is not limited to
this number. As long as the movement of the soundproof tube 20 is
restricted, the number of the projected portions 21 can be one.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the soundproof tube 20 has projected
portions 21 on outer periphery projecting outward. The projected
portions 21 are provided on a longitudinal direction of the
soundproof tube 20. As shown in FIG. 6, at least one of the
projected portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20 is in touch with
the projected portions 30 of the barrel 11, and the soundproof tube
20 is stored in the barrel 11. The projected portions 30 of the
barrel 11 and the projected portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20
can be in contact with each other at side portions as shown in FIG.
6A, or near tip portions as shown in FIG. 6B. The contact between
the projected portions 30 and the projected portions 21 can be
achieved by combining FIGS. 6A and 6B.
Same as the other embodiments, the soundproof tube 20 is formed by
extrusion molding thermoplastic resins such as TPS and TPO. Also in
this embodiment, a hardness of the soundproof tube 20 is preferably
between 60 and 80 (Shore A hardness). Note that the soundproof tube
20 can have projected portions 22 formed on inner periphery
projecting inward as shown in the second embodiment.
The soundproof tube 20 and the barrel 11 preferably have following
relation. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the inner diameter of the barrel
11, an inner diameter including a tip of the projected portions 30
is defined as Bout, and an inner diameter of the barrel 11 not
including the projected portions 30 is defined as Bsur. Here, the
inner diameter including a tip of the projected portions 30 is a
diameter of a circular trace line defined by connecting tips 30a of
the projected portions 30. The inner diameter of the barrel 11 not
including the projected portions 30 is a diameter of a circular
trace line defined by connecting a point of bottom surfaces 31a of
the groove portions 31 of the barrel 11. When an outer diameter
including a tip of the projected portions 31 of the soundproof tube
20 is defined as Rout and an outer diameter of the soundproof tube
20 not including the projected portions 21 is defined as Rsur, the
relation of the following formula (3) is preferably satisfied.
Rout.ltoreq.Bsur,Rsur.ltoreq.Bout,Bout<Rout (3)
Next, the assembling method of the tonneau cover device 1
concerning the third embodiment will be explained.
Same as the first and second embodiments, the taper portion 13b of
the retaining portion 13 is engaged with the hook formed on one end
of the spring 16 in a state that the bearing 15 is inserted through
the retaining portion 13. Then, the spring 16 is stored in the
soundproof tube 20. And then, the retaining portion 14 is engaged
with the hook, which is not yet engaged with the retaining portion,
of the spring 16.
Then, the retaining portion 14 and the soundproof tube 20 (spring
16) are stored in the barrel 11. At this time, the soundproof tube
20 is stored in the barrel 11 so that the projected portions 21 of
the soundproof tube 20 are inserted into the groove portions 31 of
the barrel 11. As described above, the soundproof tube 20 and the
barrel 11 have the relation of Rout.ltoreq.Bsur and
Rsur.ltoreq.Bout, and therefore the soundproof tube 20 can be
stored in the barrel 11 with no interference between the projected
portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20 and the inner periphery of
the barrel 11.
The projected portions 21 of the soundproof tube 20 are projected
in the longitudinal direction Lt, and the outer diameter Rout of
the soundproof tube 20 including the projected portions 21 and the
inner diameter Bout of the barrel 11 including the projected
portions 30 satisfy the following relation: Bout<Rout.
Therefore, after the soundproof tube 20 is inserted into the barrel
11, the soundproof tube 20 is rotated in a circumferential
direction C. Consequently, the projected portions 21 and the
projected portions 30 are in contact with each other at a plurality
of positions in the barrel 11 (FIGS. 6 and 7).
Then, one end of the sheet 4 is fixed to the barrel 11. And then,
the end portion, which is an end portion the retaining portion 13
is not inserted, of the barrel 11 is assembled with the rotation
axis 12. Then, the rotation axis 12 is inserted into the recessed
portion of the housing 2. The engagement tooth 13a of the retaining
portion 13 is fixed by being engaged with the pawl portion 2a
formed on the housing 2.
In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of other
embodiments, the following effects can be achieved. Because the
tonneau cover device 1 does not have a shaft to pass through the
spring 16, when inserting the soundproof tube 20, which covers the
spring 16, into the barrel 11, friction resistance between the
soundproof tube 20 and the barrel 11 can affect insertability.
However, insertability can be improved by inserting the projected
portions 21 into the groove portions 31 formed on the inner
periphery of the barrel 11 when inserting the soundproof tube 20
into the barrel 11. Therefore, a member to reduce the friction
residence such as a nonwoven fabric is not required on the inner
periphery of the barrel 11. Even if vibration is imparted to the
tonneau cover device 1 after the tonneau cover device 1 is mounted
on the vehicle compartment, the abnormal noise, which occurs when
the soundproof tube 20 collides with the barrel 11, can be
prevented because the soundproof tube 20 is, in the barrel 11, in
contact with the barrel 11 via the projecting portions 30 and 21.
Namely, assembling operation can be easily performed and the
abnormal noise can be prevented after mounted on the vehicle
compartment.
In addition, because the projected portions 30 and the projected
portions 21 are in contact with each other, the spring 16 inserted
into the barrel 11 and the soundproof tube 20 to cover the spring
16 are restricted not to rotate without press-bonding the barrel 11
with the retaining portion 14. Namely, the retaining portion 14 to
which one end of the spring 16 is fixed is restricted not to rotate
in the circumferential direction and can be retained on the barrel
11 to be slidable in the axial direction. Here, a length of the
spring 16 in the axial direction is temporarily shortened when the
sheet 4 is drawn out because the spring 16 is tightened, and the
length is temporarily lengthened when the sheet 4 is wound because
the spring 16 is loosened. If the retaining portion 14 is retained
in the barrel 11 so as to be slidable in the axial direction, even
when the length of the spring 16 is changed, the change is accepted
by the slide of the retaining portion 14. Consequently, the spring
16 is prevented from waving, although it can be occurred when the
end portion of the spring 16 cannot be slid. If the spring 16 is
prevented from waving, the spring 16 is prevented from
malfunctioning, the spring 16 is prevented from being accidentally
engaged with the soundproof tube 20, and the abnormal noise is
prevented from occurring.
(5) Variation Examples
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the soundproof tube 20 stored
inside the barrel 11.
In the barrel 11 and the soundproof tube 20 concerning the third
embodiment, the soundproof tube 20 can be stored in the barrel 11
with the soundproof tube 20 is twisted in the circumferential
direction C. If the soundproof tube 20 are stored in the barrel 11
in a state that the projected portions 21 of the sound proof tube
20 is twisted in the circumferential direction C, one of the
projected portions 21 is in contact with a plurality of the
projected portions 30 and therefore the contact between the barrel
11 and the soundproof tube 20 can be stronger. Therefore, movement
of the soundproof tube 20 in the barrel 11 is restrained and
therefore the abnormal noise can be prevented.
The twisting of the soundproof tube 20 can be generated by the
following method. After the retaining portion 14 and the soundproof
tube 20 are inserted into the barrel 11 in a state that the
retaining portion 14 is fixed with the tip of the soundproof tube
20, the other end, which is an opposite end of the inserted end, of
the soundproof tube 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction
C. The retaining portion 14 is not rotated because the outer shape
of the retaining portion 14 is engaged with the projected portions
30 of the barrel 11. Therefore, the other end of the soundproof
tube 20 is rotated in a state that only the soundproof tube 20 is
fixed at the tip, and twisting is generated on the whole length of
the soundproof tube 20. If the other end of the soundproof tube 20
is fixed with the retaining portion 13 in this state, the
soundproof tube 20 is retained in the barrel 11 with a twisted
state.
Note that it is only an example to twist the soundproof tube 20
after it is inserted into the barrel 11. The soundproof tube 20 can
be inserted into the barrel 11 twisting in the circumferential
direction C.
(5) Other Application Examples
As a sheet winding apparatus, a tonneau cover device is used for
explanation. However, it is only an example. The sheet winding
apparatus can be a wind shade arranged on the vehicle compartment
to shield a window part, for example.
A shape of the projected portions of the soundproof tube can be any
shapes. For example, it can be a fin shape by increasing the
projected amount of the projected portions. If the projected
portions are formed to be a fin shape, the projected portions are
easily deformed and therefore the abnormal noise can be prevented
and assembling operation can be easily performed in higher
level.
It is only an example that the projected portions are formed
continuously in the longitudinal direction. Other shapes can be
used.
For example, the projected portions can be formed not continuously,
forming it partially in the longitudinal direction.
In addition, even when forming the projected portions extending in
the longitudinal direction, the projected portions can be formed
linearly in the longitudinal direction, can be formed in a shape of
polygonal line, and can be formed inclined at a predetermined angle
to the longitudinal direction of the soundproof tube.
As explained above, in the present invention, abnormal noise can be
prevented and assembling operation can be easily performed. Note
that, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiments.
Although it is to those skilled in the art, the following are
disclosed as the one embodiment of this invention.
Mutually substitutable members, configurations, etc. disclosed in
the embodiment can be used with their combination altered
appropriately.
Although not disclosed in the embodiment, members, configurations,
etc. that belong to the known technology and can be substituted
with the members, the configurations, etc. disclosed in the
embodiment can be appropriately substituted or are used by altering
their combination.
Although not disclosed in the embodiment, members, configurations,
etc. that those skilled in the art can consider as substitutions of
the members, the configurations, etc. disclosed in the embodiment
are substituted with the above mentioned appropriately or are used
by altering its combination.
* * * * *